Verdict
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM392,800 to deliver 387 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time; it is the clear choice for outright pace. The RM294,800 BMW i4 is RM98,000 cheaper, and its 70.3-kWh battery brings a quoted 500 km range, 180 kW DC charging and RM305 annual road tax against RM2,125. It is also 69 mm longer with five doors, although its 470-litre boot trails by just 10 litres. For a Malaysian buyer with dependable charging, the i4 makes the stronger financial case; choose the 3 Series M for its substantially quicker performance and AWD.
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if 387 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than the RM98,000 saving.
Pick the BMW i4 if you can charge regularly and want 500 km of quoted EV range, 180 kW DC charging and far lower RM305 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM392,800; BMW i4 RM294,800.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp, 500 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds; BMW i4 282 hp, 400 Nm and 6.0 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series M all-wheel drive; BMW i4 rear-wheel drive.
- Energy storage: BMW 3 Series M 59-litre fuel tank; BMW i4 70.3-kWh battery with 500 km quoted range.
- Charging: BMW 3 Series M has no charging rate; BMW i4 supports 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC charging.
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series M RM2,125 per year; BMW i4 RM305 per year.
3 Series M
- 387 hp and 500 Nm with a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive, Adaptive M Suspension and M Sport Differential.
- Sunroof and 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
- RM98,000 more expensive.
- RM2,125 annual road tax versus RM305.
i4
- 70.3-kWh battery, 500 km quoted range and 180 kW DC charging.
- RM98,000 lower purchase price and RM305 annual road tax.
- Five doors, powered boot and an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty.
- 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.4 seconds.
- Rear-wheel drive versus all-wheel drive.
- 470-litre boot is 10 litres smaller.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM392,800 | RM294,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | — |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 387 hp | — |
| Torque | 500 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 282 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 70.3 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 500 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 180 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 190 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,075 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 255/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | BMW Laser LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used 3 Series M & i4 for sale
3 Series M vs i4 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or BMW i4 better?
The BMW i4 is the better buy if home or workplace charging suits your routine, thanks to its 500 km quoted range and much lower road tax. The BMW 3 Series M is better for performance, with 387 hp, AWD and a 4.4-second sprint.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM392,800 and the BMW i4 costs RM294,800, so the 3 Series M carries a RM98,000 premium.
Which one is faster, the BMW 3 Series M or BMW i4?
The BMW 3 Series M is faster, reaching 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds versus 6.0 seconds for the BMW i4. It also has 387 hp and 500 Nm, compared with the i4's 282 hp and 400 Nm.
